4" .44

[.44splx2]

Me again. Maybe some of you that are more experienced than I could offer some opinions comparing the Colt Anaconda, S&W 29/629 and others such as the Rugers. Accuracy is my primary concern. Thanks much. Be safe. :?

[Mikey]

44splx2:  all of the handguns you mentioned are more accurate than I am and I consider myownself a purdy good shot.  

For my money the S&W makes the handiest 4" packing revolver.  The M29 Mountain Gun is a sweet piece to pack along and gives you everything you need in a 44 magnum.  Mine handles heavy loads very well and gives me all the accuracy I can need.  

The Ruger, I believe, may come in a 4&5/8s as the shortest and that should prove to be a nice field piece as well.  I packed a 7.5" Super Blackhawk for 20 years until it wore a hole in my hip but it surely was a good shooter.  Lots of guys love their Rugers and some have custom jobs that would maky you drool.  They make me drool.

Those folks who report having Anacondas like them quite a bit.  I don't know if this is a Colt/Ruger/S&W/Ford/Chevy/Mopar thing but either of the three you mentioned available in 4" should suit you nicely.  

You just have to find the one ya'll like best.  HTH.  Mikey.

[Graybeard]

From my personal experience shooting them and shooting against folks using those guns I'd rate the S&W as the most intrinsically accurate of them. Kind of a toss up between the Colt and Ruger but both are second fiddle to the S&W. DW is at least the equal if not better in accuracy than all of them. Of course the FA is at the top of the heap along with the TC if you want a single shot.

If using iron sights 4" is pretty short for real serious accuracy work. Personally I don't generally go below 6" on an iron sight gun and prefer 7.5" or 8-3/8" over that. The best revolver accuracy with iron sights I've ever gotten came from an old S&W 29 with a 10-5/8" barrel.

If scoped you really kinda need 6" of barrel to balance it all out properly.

[Lloyd Smale]

I agree with everything greaybeard said with the exception of accuracy some of my best shooting guns are 4 inchers especially my smiths and personaly i shoot them better off hand then the long barreled guns. Probably because thats what i shoot the most and they just feel at home in my hand.

[Graybeard]

I here that comment from a few others also Lloyd, not a lot but a few. I think it has more to do with where one's eyes focus best. To shoot an iron sight handgun well you really need to be able to see the front sight in clear focus. For me that means getting that sucker as far away from me as I can. I can't see up close at all without the help of reading glasses.

In theory the longer the sighting plane the more accurately one should be able to shoot with iron sights. Thus the accuracy from rifles with tang mounted peeps and long barrels as used in BPCR competition.

But if you can't see that front sight clearly you can't shoot well. So if your eyes see the front sight on a short barrel better you'll likely shoot it better as Lloyd says he does.

Now if only I could hold up one with a 36" barrel.  :eek:  :lol:

[44 Man]

Ok guys, it's an age thing.  I have always prefered the shorter, handier guns to the long barrels.  One is as accurate as the other but as my eyes get older, I find I can see the sights better on a shorter one better than a longer one.  As for which you should buy, what feels the best for you, buy that one.  I love L frame smiths.  But my hands do not and I cannot shoot them as well as a single action.  Go with what feels good in your hand, you will not be disappointed with any of your choices.  44 Man

[tony212]

.44splx2
        I used to think like Graybeard about the 6" barrel and he is right about the accuracy part.  However for the last ten years or so I have been carrying a 4" Anaconda.  The thing I have come to appreciate about the 4" barreled guns, is when you hunt with one or carry it for woods protection, you carry it way more than you shoot it.  The 4" guns ride a lot nicer on your hip and come into action a lot faster.
       I don't think you can go wrong with either length, and any of the three you mentioned are excellent revolvers.  The best thing to do is find a gun store with a good selection and handle a few to see which one fits you best.
  Hope this helps.
Tony212

[tanoose]

For carry in the field i just loved the ruger super blackhawk with its 4 5/8" but for target and hunting i just love the super blackhawk with its 10 1/2" barrel, i use a rear peep and a front bead  fire sight from williams

[Lloyd Smale]

Hell bill there all blury to me anymore. What ive found over the years is trigger control is much more important then sight pic and even with a blurry sight pic I can shoot a pretty tight group if my trigger finger is having a good day. A good crisp 2 lb trigger does more for me then any sight length or style.

I here that comment from a few others also Lloyd, not a lot but a few. I think it has more to do with where one's eyes focus best. To shoot an iron sight handgun well you really need to be able to see the front sight in clear focus. For me that means getting that sucker as far away from me as I can. I can't see up close at all without the help of reading glasses.

In theory the longer the sighting plane the more accurately one should be able to shoot with iron sights. Thus the accuracy from rifles with tang mounted peeps and long barrels as used in BPCR competition.

But if you can't see that front sight clearly you can't shoot well. So if your eyes see the front sight on a short barrel better you'll likely shoot it better as Lloyd says he does.

Now if only I could hold up one with a 36" barrel.  :eek:  :lol:

[JD HHI 6092®]

Here's a picture of my custom Ruger.  I had a FA front sight base but on and use express sights.  The gun shoots all ammo great.  I've put some pretty warm handloads threw it with no problems.